Can I install a Sky Satellite dish to my property?

The answer to this question is dependent upon the following information being received:

  • The location of your property
  • Have cable services already been provided
  • Is your property Leasehold or Freehold
  • Is your property located within a conservation area
  • Are there Restrictive Covenants in place

Freehold Properties located within Residential Private Limited Management Companies:

Before agreeing to sign up to the installation of a Satellite dish, it is important that owners first check the Covenants attached to the Transfer Deed for their respective property. This is the document they would have signed at the time they purchased their property.  In some cases, there are Restrictive Covenants identifying what can and cannot be displayed on or attached to the relevant building.  Some Covenants will restrict the erection of aerials or dishes to the rear elevation of the building, and some will go even further to insist that Planning Permission must first be obtained from the local Town and Country Planning Authority. The simple answer is, first check what is documented within the Deed of Transfer relating to your property and what is documented within the Covenants. If in doubt always feel free to contact a member of our Management team located at one of Merlin Estates offices.

Leasehold Properties located within Residential Private Limited Management Companies:

Before agreeing to sign up to the installation of a Satellite dish, it is important that owners first check the Covenants attached to the terms and Conditions of their Lease Agreement.  This is the document they would have signed at the time they purchased their property.  In recent years, the major developers have become aware of the requirement for property owners to receive non terrestrial television channels and therefore have installed Communal systems. Where the Developer has obtained the necessary "Planning Approval", the communal Satellite aerial will have been installed in accordance with the Planning Authorities guide lines. However, there are circumstances whereupon the local Planning Authority would only provide consent for the Developer to install cable television systems and in some cases these are properties located within conservation areas.

Leasehold Properties are very much bound by the terms and conditions outlined within their Lease Agreements, and  for that reason we strongly recommend that if you are in anyway unsure of its content or furthermore you wish to obtain a greater understanding or clarification on the clauses documented therein, then please feel free to contact a member of our Management team located at one of Merlin Estates offices.

For Leasehold Properties in particular, the simple rule is to never assume you can go ahead and install or erect anything on the exterior elevations of the building containing your property.  The Covenants can be Restrictive and more importantly enforceable by the Management Company on behalf of the Freeholder. We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice from one of our Surveyors before  proceeding with the signing of any contracts by a very persuasive sales person, as unfortunately in the long term this could prove to be very costly to you, which is something we are sure you would otherwise choose to avoid.

Merlin Estates Team

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